With six girls soccer teams in the Class 3A top 20 coaches poll, clashes between ranked teams in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference aren’t just inevitable, they’re pretty much par for the course.
There were two such games involving Hamilton County teams on Wednesday. Second-ranked Noblesville and No. 9 Fishers played to a 1-1 tie at the Millers’ field, while No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern cruised past No. 18 Avon 5-1.
Both of the goals at Noblesville were scored in the second half. The Tigers got on the board first, with Taryn McFarland finding the back of the net in the 46th minute.
The Millers responded in the 53rd minute. Noblesville’s goal developed from a corner kick by Carly Hudnall; her kick was deflected by Fishers, but Makenna Maloy was there on the rebound, and she booted the ball into the net.
Afterwards, both coaches were pleased with how their respective teams played.
“This is a team that plays hard every second of the night,” said Tigers coach Ben Beasley. “They’re not playing with a ton of players, a ton of substitutions, and we’ve run into two of the best three teams in the state so far. To hold Noblesville the way we did, we had some fortunate chances, but that’s a really good team and we’re going to continue to build off of some of this effort that these girls are giving.”
“They battled,” said Noblesville coach Mike Brady. “I thought we came out a little flat. We knew Fishers is a good team and it was really the first time this year we’ve been tested. That was good for us to get that, to get scored on and then see what our competitive nature was. They fought the second half, I was appreciative of that.”
The game was the Pink Out game for the Millers, who wore pink outfits in solidarity with those affected by breast cancer. The game raised over $1,000 for the Megan S. Ott Foundation, which helps provide assistance to those battling the disease.
“But as I told the team at the end of the game – you saw us wearing pink tonight – it’s just a soccer game,” said Brady. “You have two good schools play a soccer match that was competitive, but when push comes to shove, there’s bigger things than high school soccer games. I thought both teams handled themselves well. But again, Megan S. Ott Foundation, the parents’ contributions, the community coming together, the students being out here. Heck, even the dance team was here. So that’s a good night for us here in Noblesville, in what we do and rally together for important causes, and it’s a reason that I appreciate the community that supports my team.”
Hamilton Southeastern picked up a 5-1 win over Avon at the Royals’ field.
The Royals scored one goal in the first half, with Maddie Bellaver scoring off an assist by Izzie Wallace. Despite the lone goal, Southeastern coach Greg Davidson said is team “dominated a very packed defense.”
In the second half, the Royals broke the Orioles down, pouring in four goals. Wallace scored from an assist by Olivia Smith, who also assisted a goal from Layla Brown. Ella Wolf found the back of the net from a Bellaver assist, then Ashlyn Freeman assisted a long-shot goal by Ashley Wilson.
“Having five different goal scorers and four different assisting shows the strength in this team,” said Davidson. The coach said that Brown was the player of the game, noted Wolf and Bella Bankovich as part of a strong defense, and said Smith was “particularly strong in the midfield.”
Hamilton Heights and University, ranked No. 9 in 1A, played to a 0-0 tie Wednesday at the Trailblazers’ field.
“Both teams created multiple opportunities to score in the even played, back and forth game but neither team could take advantage,” said Huskies coach Travis Kauffman. He credited Heights defender Jayla Logan with playing a strong game, “and even saved a goal when keeper Tessa Harr stepped off her line to challenge a shot. Harr had 12 saves in a strong game of her own.”
“The Blazers held fast with a back line anchored by Olivia Morrison and Sydney Epstein while goal keeper Lilly Fair registered a fourth straight clean sheet,” said University coach Chris Morrison. “We were encouraged with a number of narrowly missed offensive opportunities and we look forward to ending our one game lack of scoring. Hamilton Heights is a strong team and although frustrated with the result, are encouraged with the team’s play.”
Carmel, the No. 4 team in 3A, took care of Pike 5-0 in a Metropolitan Conference game, improving to 2-0 in the MIC.
Emily Roper scored two goals in the first half, with Olivia Fray assisting the first one and Abby Dickerson assisting the second. Dickerson made her second assist of the game when she crossed to Kelsie James in the 47th minute; James headed in the ball.
Emma Antoine scored on a header of her own, with Brooke Bailey making the assist. Claire Bonnici got the final goal, with James assisting.
Sheridan fell to Frankfort 9-4 on Wednesday.
The Blackhawks were down 5-0 at halftime, but came back to cut the lead to 7-4 before the Hot Dogs got the last two goals. Chaney Smith scored off an assist to Leah Hopper, who later assisted Katie Cuevas’ goal. Hopper then scored her first goal of the season, then Makaela Mosolf scored a goal.
Sheridan will host Western Boone at 5 p.m. today.
Westfield fell to 3A No. 15 Zionsville 4-2 on Wednesday.
The Shamrocks host 2A No. 4 Bishop Chatard on Saturday morning.
Noblesville’s Emma Potter (second from left) keeps control of the ball while surrounded by Fishers players Ali MacBeth (far left), Johanna Strueder (13) and Sami Bird (2) during the Millers-Tigers girls soccer game Wednesday at the Noblesville field. (Kent Graham)
Hamilton Southeastern’s Ella Wolf scored a second-half goal for the Royals in their 5-1 win over Avon Wednesday. (Kirk Green)